Argosy, Vol. 112, No. 2 — page 72: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“ELA Y 28 2 OT EF eer ‘ i ae | 2 + = = Zi 3 = = 2 5. a —_ Pa 2 rd = > — x 3 “a eee 238 ' "BHE ARGOSY. I’ve never sought entrance to a quarrel, but, being in it, I’ve had recourse to the solar- plexus blow and the hook to the jaw. If you're fast on your feet, these blows will do the business even with a good, strong man like you, Mr. Blandin. I regret the necessity.” Pete got up and extended his hand. “TI don’t get you,” he said heavily. “I didn’t know a man of your weight who could talk like a perfessor, an-auctioneer, a preacher, an’ a lawyer, all in one, could likewise fight. H’ever, there’s my mitt. . You can take it or leave it, just as you like.” : “You withdraw your objections to my marriage to your daughter?” 3 “Tl expect I do. Mebbe when you’re my son-in-law you'll teach me them blows.”’ “You see,” said Royce, “I’ve had to scrape to get an education. I run a little gymnasium in the city where I go to college, and winters I teach the boys boxing. It pays pretty well, but I don’t like it. I'll be glad when the time comes for me to lay aside the gloves forever.” ‘Well, don’t lay ’em aside till you teach me what you know,” Pete said. He spoke to Royce, but he looked at O’Leary, foreman of No. 3 camp. “When I get them blows learned, I'll beat you black and blue, O’Leary,” he stated. ‘‘ What do you mean by ringin’ in a dark horse on me when all I wanted was for you to send over that rough-neck Dick Granger?” ‘“ Aw, quit quarrelin’, Pete,’’ O’Leary re- torted. ‘‘Can’t you take a little joke? You asked me for Granger, and I consid- ered the matter. You'll mind that I didn’t answer you at once. I stood there with the phone to my ear and grinned in delight, thinking of the mistake you was due to make. “You been strung and framed and licked, Pete Blandin. What more do you want? Quit quarrelin’ with your betters and study the lesson this lad has set you. He is Dick Granger, and none other. He’s a slim lad, peaceful and polite when you leave him be, but he’s a hell-bender when he’s crossed. ‘An’ I’m thinkin’ it is not his hands and feet that he fights with. I’m thinkin’ it’s his noodle, Pete. That’s why he has the edge on you. Take a leaf out of his book and become polite and peaceful your own self.” Pete stared hard at O’Leary. Then, bow- ing low, he said: “IT am grateful to you, Mr. O’Leary, for your very welcome and educatin’ advice. Please will you come to my daughter’s wed- din’ and bring the missus with you? You will? JI thank you, Mr. O’Leary, from the bottom of my _ heart. Don’t mention it. The pleasure is all mine—what there is of it.” THE NEXT INVENTION H, what is man? A being strange, Endowed with restless soul, Who, not content with what he gains, Must seek yet higher goal. He learns the secrets of the earth And heaven’s starry crowd; He boldly rides the raging deep; Brings lightning from the cleud. Not satisfied with mastering All earthly locomotion, He conquers now the very air— A once absurd old notion. And such is man, that even higher He'll Soar till he attain I The heights above the air itself = With his ethereoplane. = Blanche Elizabeth Wade. Comichooks:. corn